Dear Parents/Carers,
                
We are very pleased with the way that all of our new children have settled into life at Ravenstone. We hope you and your families enjoy a long and successful relationship with the community of Ravenstone. This has been a very busy half term for all of us:
PAKISTAN FLOOD DISASTER APPEAL CONCERT: The concert on Saturday 2nd October at St Mary’s church was truly amazing! Our Ravenstone Singers (50 Y3/4/5/6) were wonderful and the adult choir (made up of three choirs) were just exceptional. Many thank to MJ Paranzino for organising and co-ordinating the whole thing and all staff and families who supported in so many ways. We raised in excess of £3500!
In addition we sent 30 ‘Life Boxes’ of goods (water, juices, milk, chocolate, dates, biscuits etc) for the PIA free airlift. Thanks to Mr Azam for delivering all the items by van (and not returning from the airport until after midnight!) Over £400 was also raised which means our grand total was just over £4000! Once again, the Ravenstone community has shown itself to be incredibly caring, compassionate and generous but also dynamic when responding to an international crisis.
SUMMER READING EVENT: Today we were visited by Rebecca from Balham Library to present the children with their certificates for participating in the summer reading event: Space Hop. Very well done to over 50 children who participated over the summer! Please encourage your children to use the local library. Thousands of great books and all free!
POETRY EVENT: 30 Y5 were involved in a day of poetry at the Wandsworth professional centre on 7/10/10. In addition, 30 Y6 are attending a meet the author session at Waterstones, Piccadilly tomorrow.
SPORTS NEWS: a) FOOTBALL: On 7/10/10 we participated in a 7-a-side tournament, the Trinity Cup. Richard Huie reports that the team were brilliant in the first competition of this season only conceding one goal and losing in the semi-final (on a Golden goal!) to the eventual winners, Honeywell b) SWIMMING: Balham Pool is being refurbished after half term and so will not be open until after Christmas. Unfortunately this means that all school swimming lessons will cease, probably until January.
FREE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY: On Saturday 16th October there is a free family portrait opportunity at Balham library, funded by an Arts Grant. If you are interested in having a free family portrait contact Sonalle Photography on 07983936873 or email to info@sonalle.com (Carrie Fry, Balham Extended schools Co-ordinator)
HARVEST FESTIVAL COLLECTION: We are again supporting the Spires Homeless Project and are collecting books, magazines, mugs and adult size trainers. Please leave them in the collection boxes in Mary’s room.
Y6 SCHOOL JOURNEY: On Monday 18th we are off to the PGL Camp, Osmington Bay, Dorset with over 40 Y6 children. This is the third time that we have been so early in the year and I’m certain it will again be a huge success. The children (and staff) will enjoy activities such as Abseiling, Fencing, Quad bike riding, Mountain bike riding, Zip wire, Climbing, Beach walk and many others. The children will learn a lot about teamwork, supporting each other, challenging themselves and having fun. Thanks to the PTA for supporting the trip, enabling all who wanted to, to go.
REMINDER TO Y6: Secondary Transfer forms must be in byFri 22nd October (unless you are applying online: 31st October)

Y6 SECONDARY SCHOOL DESTINATIONS: At the PTA AGM a couple of parents asked me where our children go when they leave us. The answer is many schools all over S. London and this has been the picture for some time: At the end of July we had 59 children in Y6. They went to the following Wandsworth secondary schools: Chestnut Grove (16), Graveney (8), Burntwood (10), Ernest Bevin (10), Eliot (2), Ashcroft Academy(1), Garratt Park (1). Four children went to independent schools: Whitgift, Streatham and Clapham High, Alleyne’s, Emanuel. Out of borough schools: Ricard’s Lodge (1), Rutlish (2) Merton, Dunraven (3), Lambeth, Norbury Manor (1) (Croydon).
CLUBS: Parents often ask for a list of extra curricular clubs currently running:
Music: MJ Paranzino is running the Ravenstone Singers (children’s choir) after school on Tuesdays (70+ Y3-6). Y6 Percussion club will be in the spring term on Wednesdays. Bandworx (the Orchestra) is on Thursdays. The adult choir on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm is wonderful. All parents and friends are welcome to attend.
Ukelele: A new one this! For 17 Y6 run by Dan Westland on Thursdays.
Football: Richard Huie and Fiona Westwood run Football club on Fridays before school for Y5/6 children.
Athletics: Fiona and Morris run this club Tues, Wed lunchtimes Y3-6
Volleyball: Morris runs this Tue, Wed, Thurs mornings
Netball: Thursday after school Y5 with Mrs Hood
Swimming: Sarah Austin and Laura Hurley have continued swimming club after school on Wednesdays for 20 Y4/5/6 children. (although not next half term)
Oware/Construction/Crafts: These clubs are during lunchtimes.
Chess: Chess club continues on Thursday, Friday lunchtimes under the guidance of Ewa Stevens.
Gardening club: This starts after half term on Monday pm run by Mary and Tara
Storytelling: Mr Friday and Mr Van Brown run a storytelling club for 60 Y3/4 on Mondays.
Y6 Homework Club: The Year 6 Homework Club (run by Max Furnell and Jo Lynch) starts on Monday afternoons after half term 3:30-4:30pm.
WEBSITE: Please bear with us. The new website is nearly ready for launch soon after half term.
PACKED LUNCH ROOM: Please can all parents/carers ensure that their children bring home their lunchboxes/bags as we still keep accumulating a rather unpleasant pile of leftover bags/boxes and items of food in the room.
SCOOTERS/CYCLES in PLAYGROUND: I would respectfully like to remind all children and parents NOT to cycle or scoot anywhere in the playground, either before or after school. There are always very young children wandering around and an accident will happen. Could you please also ensure that if you leave cycles, scooters or buggies in the playground under the shelters, they are safely secured with a decent lock. We are keen to try to accommodate your needs but we must ensure that we have a safe playground environment for all of our children.
FINALLY: Can all parents/carers please be aware that for obvious safety and security reasons for all children and staff, you are not allowed up the stairs and on the first and second floor unaccompanied. If your child arrives late, take them to the main office and we will deal with them.
A reminder that we break for half term on Friday 22nd October. School re-opens on MONDAY 1st NOVEMBER.
Enjoy half term.

With Best Wishes

Alan Millington